Method for assembling conduit sections

Abstract

A method of assembling conduit section in a building or like structure includes providing a first conduit section within an associated concrete slab, and adhering a connector sleeve to the first conduit section before concrete is deposited about the first conduit section and the connector sleeve. Concrete is deposited to a grade level generally at the same height as the connector sleeve. A coupling element having upper and lower section is next adhered to the connector sleeve so that the coupling element extends above the concrete slab. An associated second conduit sections or the like can then be efficiently joined to the upper section of the coupling element, to thereby join the second conduit section, positioned above the concrete slab, to the first conduit section positioned within the slab.

The invention claimed is: 
     
       1. A method of assembling conduit sections, the method comprising the steps of:
 providing a first conduit section within an associated concrete slab: providing a connector sleeve; 
 adhering said connector sleeve with adhesive to said first conduit section so that said first conduit section extends upwardly within said connector sleeve; 
 depositing concrete about said first conduit section and said connector sleeve to a grade level such that a top of said connector sleeve is at a same height as the grade level of the concrete; 
 providing a coupling element having a lower polymeric section, and an upper section; 
 adhering said coupling element with adhesive to said connector sleeve, with said polymeric section of said coupling element extending downwardly within said connector sleeve, so that said coupling element projects above said deposited concrete; and 
 joining a second conduit section to said upper section of said coupling element, to thereby join said second conduit section to said first conduit section, 
 wherein said connector sleeve includes an internal, annular shoulder, said first conduit section extending upwardly within said connector sleeve to abut a lower surface of said internal, annular shoulder, and said lower polymeric section of said coupling element extending downwardly within said connector sleeve to abut an upper surface of said internal, annular shoulder. 
 
     
     
       2. The method of assembling conduit sections in accordance with  claim 1 , wherein
 said upper section of said coupling element comprises one of: (1) a galvanized rigid conduit; (2) a liquid-tight connector; and (3) a flexible coupling. 
 
     
     
       3. The method of assembling conduit sections in accordance with  claim 1 , wherein
 said upper section of said coupling element is metallic. 
 
     
     
       4. The method of assembling conduit sections in accordance with  claim 1 , wherein
 said upper section of said coupling element comprises polymeric material and is unitary with said lower polymeric section of said coupling element. 
 
     
     
       5. The method of assembling conduit sections in accordance with  claim 1 , wherein
 an inside diameter of said lower polymeric section of said coupling element corresponds to an inside diameter of said first conduit section. 
 
     
     
       6. A method of assembling conduit sections, the method comprising the steps of:
 providing a first conduit section within an associated concrete slab: providing a connector sleeve; 
 adhering said connector sleeve with adhesive to said first conduit section so that said first conduit section extends upwardly within said connector sleeve; 
 depositing concrete about said first conduit section and said connector sleeve to a grade level such that a top of said connector sleeve is at a same height as the grade level of the concrete; 
 providing a coupling element having a lower polymeric section, and an upper section; 
 adhering said coupling element with adhesive to said connector sleeve, with said polymeric section of said coupling element extending downwardly within said connector sleeve, so that said coupling element projects above said deposited concrete; and 
 joining a second conduit section to said upper section of said coupling element, to thereby join said second conduit section to said first conduit section, 
 wherein the concrete is deposited directly against said first conduit section and said connector sleeve. 
 
     
     
       7. The method of assembling conduit sections in accordance with  claim 6 , wherein
 said upper section of said coupling element comprises one of: (1) a galvanized rigid conduit; (2) a liquid-tight connector; and (3) a flexible coupling. 
 
     
     
       8. The method of assembling conduit sections in accordance with  claim 6 , wherein
 said upper section of said coupling element is metallic. 
 
     
     
       9. The method of assembling conduit sections in accordance with  claim 6 , wherein
 said upper section of said coupling element comprises polymeric material and is unitary with said lower polymeric section of said coupling element. 
 
     
     
       10. The method of assembling conduit sections in accordance with  claim 6 , wherein
 an inside diameter of said lower polymeric section of said coupling element corresponds to an inside diameter of said first conduit section.